OAKLAND, Calif. – Sean Spence delivered the boom, and that set off even more fireworks for the Titans on defense.
"Coaches had to tell us guys on the sideline to back up, and not go on the field,'' cornerback Jason McCourty said. "Guys were fired up."
Spence got it all started in the third quarter when he delivered a bone-crushing hit on Raiders running back DeAndre Washington after he caught a pass from quarterback Matt McGloin. Washington went flying, the ball popped out, and Bass picked it up and started running toward the end zone.
Bass made it, of course. His 47-yard return was the final score in Tennessee's 27-14 win over the Raiders.
"Great play, great hit,'' coach Mike Mularkey said. "Those are the plays we need to make."
With a smile, Bass credited fellow linebacker Justin Staples for showing him the open field move he made on the way to the end zone. He said he'd watched his high school tape.
This much is certain: Bass keeps showing up around the football for the Titans.
"I was thinking "Make a play','' said Bass, who sidestepped a would-be tackler on the way to the end zone. "I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Credit Sean Spence for the big hit. And I was able to make a play."
Spence, signed this offseason after playing previously in Pittsburgh, was happy to lower the boom.
"I think it was perfect timing, I guess,'' he said. "I'm glad I could give a lift to our defense. … I want to be a playmaker, but also a guy who plays good team defense. And give credit to David, he is a ball magnet, he is always around the ball."
Spence received congratulations when he got to the sideline.
He admitted he took a peek at the video board to see the replay.
"Yeah, I've seen it,'' Spence said with a smile. "I think it was a nice hit."
The Tennessee Titans battle the Raiders in Week 3 of the 2016 preseason in Oakland. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
